West Virginia flag

Have you come across the flag of West Virginia? It features a colorful and symbolic design that’s become synonymous with the Southern state. Whether you live in West Virginia, or if you’re simply passing through it, you’ll probably see the West Virginia state flag displayed in front of homes and businesses. To learn more about the West Virginia flag and its origins, keep reading.

#1) Originally Adopted in 1905

Like many other state flags, the flag of West Virginia has been modified several times throughout its history. The first design, however, was officially adopted in 1905. At the time, the West Virginia State Commission announced the need for an official flag so that West Virginia could be distinguished from other states at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. This ultimately led to West Virginia’s first official flag, which featured a spring mountain displayed against a white background and a blue border.

#2) Two-Sided Design

The state banner of West Virginia is one of a few official state flags that features a two-sided design. Originally, the reverse side featured West Virginia’s state of arms along with its state motto. In 1907, however, the reverse side was modified to feature a “sprig or sprigs of the rhododendron maximum, or big laurel, our state flower, having blossoms and leaves.”

#3) The Reverse Side Now Mirrors the Obverse Side

You may notice that the modern West Virginia flag now features the same design on both sides. Whether you’re looking at the obverse or reverse side, the design will be the same. On both sides of the West Virginia state flag is the state’s coat of arms encircled in a wreath. At the top of the coat of arms is the phrase “State of West Virginia.” Why did lawmakers decide to use the same design for both sides? It was reported that using different designs on the obverse and reverse made the flag expensive to produce. Therefore, lawmakers decided to use a single design for both sides.

#4) Only Flag to Feature Crossing Rifles

The flag of West Virginia is the only official state flag to feature crossing rifles in its design. The crossing rifles are part of West Virginia’s state seal. They are found directly below a farmer and a miner within the state’s seal. Of all the official state flags, the West Virginia flag is the only one that features crossing rifles.

#5) Has Its Own Set of Rules for Display

The flag of West Virginia has its own rules for display. The West Virginia Legislature, for instance, says that the flag shouldn’t be placed above the American flag, nor should it be placed to the right of the American flag when both flags are displayed at the same time.

• When was the West Virginia Flag adopted?
• What do the designs on the West Virginia Flag represent?
• What is the West Virginia State Flag pledge?
• Where can I purchase a West Virginia Flag?
• How should I fly my West Virginia Flag with my American Flag?

When was the West Virginia flag adopted?

The current state flag of West Virginia was officially adopted by the West Virginia Legislature on March 7, 1929, by West Virginia Senate Joint Resolution Number 18.

What do the designs on the West Virginia flag represent?

The current state flag of West Virginia consists of a pure white field with a blue border stripe on all four sides. The white of the field symbolizes purity, and the blue border represents the Union. The center of the flag is embellished with the state’s Coat of Arms, a formal version of the Great Seal of West Virginia. The lower half of the flag is wreathed by two tethered swags of Rhododendron maximum, the state flower of West Virginia. Across the top of the state flag is an unfurled red ribbon with the constitutional designation “State of West Virginia”, and across the bottom is a tied red ribbon with the state’s motto “Montani Semper Liberi” meaning: “mountaineers are always free”.
The State’s Coat of Arms in the center of the flag symbolizes the principal pursuits and resources of West Virginia. In the center is an ivy-draped boulder that has been inscribed “June 20, 1863”, the date of West Virginia’s admission to the Union as a state. In front of the boulder are two crossed hunting rifles and a Phrygian cap, or “Cap of Liberty”, to illustrate the importance of the state’s fight for liberty. Two men, a farmer and a miner, stand on either side of the boulder and represent agriculture and industry. The farmer stands on the left with an ax and a plow before a cornstalk. The miner stands on the right with the pickax and, behind him an anvil and sledge hammer.

What is the West Virginia State flag pledge?

The West Virginia Flag pledge is, “I pledge allegiance to the flag of West Virginia, which serves as a constant reminder that “Mountaineers Are Always Free”, which stands as a symbol of her majestic mountains, fertile forests, rich veins of coal, and the pride of her people.

Where can I purchase a West Virginia flag?

The best place to buy an American made West Virginia flag is at Star Spangled Flags. They are bold and beautiful and UV protected against the bright sunlight! They are made of a very strong nylon material and extra stitching to keep them strong and helps to prevent unraveling and fraying.

How should I fly my West Virginia flag with my American Flag?

When flying the West Virginia flag with the flag of the United States on the same pole, the flag of United States must always be at the top and the West Virginia flag should be the same size or smaller. When It is flown on separate poles, the West Virginia flag will be to the right of the flag of the United States situating the U.S. flag in the position of honor, which is to the observer’s left of the other flags.